Book Description

A caterpillar comes to school in a jar. The class watches the caterpillar each day as it grows and changes. Soon, it disappears into a hard shell called a chrysalis. Then the chrysalis breaks, and a beautiful butterfly flies out of the jar! This is a perfect beginner's guide to the mystery of metamorphosis.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1997 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Perfect Butterfly Book for Preschool-Third Grade
I am the director of a lower school (pre-k-2nd) and we have used this book for years. It is the perfect way to introduce children to the wonderful world of metamorphosis. And if you can also actually get the Painted Lady Butterflies and "grow" them in your class, it is an invaluable experience. We have our children keep journals and then buy them each a copy of this great book (it's cheap in paperback) and they get to keep the experience forever. One correction to another review: painted ladies and all butterflies do spin chrysalids, not cocoons. They look similar, but the chrysalis usually has little specks of gold in it, which is where the name comes from. Yes I am a huge fan of this book--and a huge fan of butterflies. This author also has a lovely book about honeybees, called Honeybees.

THE Book to accompany Butterfly Houses, Pavillions
We got this book in addition to a home "Butterfly Pavillion" by InsectLore. It prepared my son and us for what to expect as the Painted Lady Butterflies were developing through each stage. So even during the lulls in the action, we could spark some anticipation. Which heightened the whole process for my 5 year old.
We also found out this book is used at his kindergarten for their butterfly learning.
This is the first Let's-Read-And-Find-Out book we've bought and were impressed enough to want to get the other books in the series.

lovely story, but...
The only complaint I have about this book is that the caterpillar disappears into a chrysalis -- not a cocooon. The last Painted Lady butterflies we had (a watch-your-caterpillar-change-into-a-butterfly kit) all spun cocoons - no chrysalis!

A peek inside a mystery
This book is the perfect accompaniment to spring! Even if you can't bring a caterpillar into your classroom, you can still share the magic and mystery of their turning into butterflies with this wonderful book. The tone is so kid-friendly, kids will be learning without even realizing it. A great resource!

I share it with all of my classes!
This book is perfect for 3rd grade and under. I normally use it as a read-aloud, although this would be just fine for them on their own. Great book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A perfect springtime accompaniment to actual bugs, Insectlopedia swarms, buzzes, and slithers with poetry and paint. Douglas Florian, creator of the award-winning Beast Feast, On the Wing, and In the Swim, has succeeded again, this time with a delightful infestation of 21 spider and insect poems and paintings, awash in watercolor and collage on primed brown paper bags.

Well-loved for his clever wordplay (complete with endearingly shameless visual and verbal puns), Florian manages to seamlessly blend science with pure whimsy. Take "The Praying Mantis," for example: "Upon a twig/I sit and pray/For something big/To wend my way;/A caterpillar,/Moth,/or bee--/I swallow them/Religiously." His rhythmic chant "The Weevils" begins, "We are weevils./We are evil./We've aggrieved/Since time primeval." Add a few inchworms, moths, and whirligig beetles, and you have the blisteringly funny, stingingly clever Insectlopedia, the perfect book for emerging entomologists and budding poets alike. (All ages) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great fun, even for kids who aren't "insect lovers"
This is a book of poems about insects. The poems are great; their content is funny and rhythmic. Through the poems we learn about the various insects. Some have very creative text formatting such as the inchworm; the text is shaped like a humped-up inchworm. The illustrations are very creative collages that are unique compared to most other children's books.

I began reading this when my first son was 2 years old and he loved the poems then and he loves them now. Neither of my children are otherwise very interested in reading about insects but this book captures their interest and they laugh hysterically at some of these poems. After reading these they have found some of the more unusual insects such as the walking stick outdoors and called it to my attention. We've owned the book for 3 years, every once in a while my now-5 year old will find it and get excitedly proclaim "we haven't read this in a long time" and begs me to read it again (and again and again).

Some of the insects featured are the inchworm, tick, walking stick, praying mantis, monarch butterfly, daddy long legs spider and army ants.

The poems are so much fun I don't mind reading the entire book two or three times in a row. A fun book to read to young children. This is good reading for just plain fun or to introduce poetry or to enhance learning about insects and nature.

It's great! (Ethan 5) It's Wonderful (Alissa 6)
We just love reading Insectlopedia! My 6 year old daughter andmy 5 year old son both think it is a great read. Ethan & Alissalike the poem about the Whirligig Beetles the best.

Excellent Book Filled with Info!
I read this book while sitting in the Dr.'s office this week. It was not only fun to read, but educational as well. At 27 I learned some interesting things about insects! And the illustrations are outstanding, especially for adults who can look further into the artwork.

enchanting poems not only for children
Florian created a wonderful book of poems that captured the youthful joy and echantment of the insect world. Each poem is unique and the accompanying illustrations are whimsical and fun. Both parents and children will love this book.

A pure delight!
As a children's author myself, I look at a LOT of picture books each year. INSECTLOPEDIA was one I simply had to have. The poems and art are equally witty, and it seems to me the perfect gift book, to be enjoyed and appreciated by children (and adults) of all ages. Every time I show it to someone, we find something new to delight us in the art work. A wonderful book! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lois Ehlert, beloved illustrator of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom andmany other bold, beautiful picture books has outdone herself with this gorgeous(seriously breathtaking) celebration of butterfly metamorphosis. "Out in thefields, eggs are hidden from view, / clinging to leaves with butterfly glue. /Soon caterpillars hatch. They creep and chew. / Each one knows what it must do."As the gentle rhyme unfolds, we turn the small, partial pages that form thelarger spread of fabulous foliage in this lush, oversized book. Before our eyes,the eggs turn to caterpillars, the caterpillars to cases, the cases to lovelybutterflies. "They pump their wings, get ready to fly, then hungry butterflieshead for the sky." The colors become increasingly dazzling, each butterflyspringing to life with Ehlert's color-soaked cut-paper magic. Several pages ofbackground material conclude the book, labeling different kinds of butterfliesat different stages of development, from the buckeye butterfly to the paintedlady to the monarch. A "Butterfly Information" page clearly labels butterflyanatomy and answers basic question about these fascinating fluttery insects, a"Flower Identification" page showcases butterfly-attracting flowers such as thepurple coneflower (echinacea), phlox, and lantana, and the last page offers afew pointers on growing a butterfly garden. (Ages 3 to 6) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Elegantly beautiful.
This is not a storybook, but it is a book to be loved. With interesting art in vibrant colors, the book describes the life cycle of the butterfly in poetry and then presents more detailed information on moths and butterflies -- and about which flowers will attract them. The inventive art, on odd-size pages, is outstanding. Some of the art is geometrical, some looks like paper cutouts layered to look three-dimensional. And don't worry about the dust jacket -- if it rips, just pitch it -- the gorgeous art is repeated on the book cover itself.

Waiting For Wings Soars!
This delightful story explains the life cycle of the butterfly in a clear, enjoyable way that young children will understand. The rich language with many action verbs and the author's clever use of rhyme make this book appealing to young children. The size of the illustrations are consistent with the story grammer as the pictures are largest at the point of climax in the story- when the butterflies are ready to fly. The illustrations are very brilliant in color which will appeal to young children. The end papers and title page are illustrated and a part of the story. The cover opens up to a large flower garden with the title on the right side. Descriptions of butterflies, flowers and how to grow a butterfly garden are included.
This book will help young children gain a better understanding of nature and enhance their early literacy skills at the same time.

Toddlers and Babies, too!
I have a three year old daughter who must be read to before sleeping. I also have a three month old baby girl who is often in the bed with us while we read. Often, the baby is restless and cries before we finish our books. Waiting for Wings is a fabulous solution. I find this interesting AND educational for my toddler. In addition, the colors are bright and contrasting, allowing my baby to be entertained while the book is read.

Just O.K.
... I was disappointed when I actually got the book. It may be good for the 1-3-year-old set, but my 4-year-old is much more sophisticated about butterflies than this book addresses. For the same money, there are alot of other books that have more beautiful artwork. Don't waste your money-check this one out from the library instead!

My daughter loves this book!
My 3 year old daughter loves this book! Beautiful drawings of flowers and butterflies. The drawback was that for a couple months after getting this book, we had to read it every night, and we had to name every butterfly on every page. "What kind of butterfly is this?" "That's a Monarch butterfly." "What kind of butterfly is this?" "That's a Tiger swallowtail butterfly." I'm sure that's good in the long run, but holy cow, she was obsessed with this book! :) Thankfully, the obsession dwindled a bit, and now we can enjoy our occasional readings of the book together. I do recommend this book! ... Read more

Book Description

Written to be read aloud by two voices--sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous--here is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrate the insect world, from the short life of the mayfly to the love song of the book louse. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise.

In this remarkable volume of poetry for two voices, a companion to I Am Phoenix,Paul Fleischman verbally re-creates the "Booming/boisterios/joyful noise" of insects. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. Eric Beddows's vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way.

Paul Fleischman has created not only a clear and fascinating guide to the insect world--from chrysalid butterflies to whirligig beetles--but an exultant celebration of life.

Winner, 1989 Newbery Medal
Notable Children's Books of 1988 (ALA)
1988 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA)
1988 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Honor Book for Fiction/Poetry
1989 Fanfare Honor List (The Horn Book)
1988 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)
Children's Books of 1988 (Library of Congress)
1988 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)
100 Books for Reading and Sharing (NY Public Library)

Reviews (15)

What a great book!
This is a collection of beautiful short poems for children about a variety of insects. The children are supposed to read the poems together as if it were a dialog or play and the interplay of words is supposed to fit with the type of insect the poem describes. The book, illustrated by Eric Beddows, won the 1989 Newbery Medal for best contribution to American children's literature.

Great and Lots of fun!
Joyful noise is a great book to read with another person. It is filled with poems for two voices about insects. It has from Book Lice to Water Striders, House Crickets to Grasshoppers, Water Boatmen to Fireflies. I really enjoy reading it with one of my friends!!

An original idea
These poems about the lives of different insects are meant to be read by two voices, thereby mimicking the sounds or characteristics of those bugs. The book works rather well, especially the whirligig beetle poem. Appearing in bookstores nation wide in 1992, I remember being given this book at the age of 10 from my mother. At that particular age I was not interested in participating in a picture book, clearly designed for younger students. Had I received it at a younger age I think I would have liked it more. I would recommend presenting this book to a group of students, having them perform it together. That would be the best use of this singular text.

Wonderful
A real celebration of the insects. Fourteen neat poems - you can read just one side and enjoy the poems too if you don't have a partner onhand but listening to them read by two people is neat! Really great drawings throughout - obviously done by a nature lover. The poems are funny and at times like haiku too.

A Novel Way to Engage Children in Poetry
This book consists of fourteen poems about different insects. Each poem is written in two parts and must be read aloud to be truly appreciated. The two parts fit together, and when performed aloud, have a rhythmical sound. Having children act out the poems as they read them would be a great way to incorporate dance and creative movement. I would recommend this book for all teachers and parents who want to get children excited about poetry. ... Read more

Book Description

Did you know that ants have jobs? Ants may not look like they are doing anything important, but each ant that lives in a hill has a special job, whether it is cleaning the nest, digging new tunnels or gathering food. And in each ant city there is a queen ant who is busy laying eggs.

In this popular Stage 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science book, Arthur Dorros explores the fascinating and complex ways in which these industrious insects work together to keep their ant cities alive.

A Reading Rainbow Selection
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1987 (NSTA/CBC) ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The life of a Honeybee review
This book has great information on all aspects of the honeybee. It talks about the life cycle, the social behavior, body plan, and habitat of the honeybee. It also tells you a little bit about classification. The book isa quick and easy read too. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great reference
I read this book 2 years in a row for Spiders week at preschool. If you skip the history part, you're good! But its got a good reference book that is understandable at this age level. It talks about sizes, shapes and different webs. Very few non fiction books out there can be adapted for this age level with a variety of understanding---understanding this. But this is one of those books---and the kids love it too. ... Read more

Book Description

Caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly -- follow the metamorphosis of this familiar backyard creature as it evolves into a delicate flying insect. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Food for the Imagination
Written as if the author is speaking directly to the reader, this wonderful book draws the reader into the world of the butterfly. It does a very appropriate job of explaining the life cycle of the butterfly in terms a preschooler can understand. The illustrations are also quite nice, not too detailed or flowery, not too plain. They complement the simple text very well. Especially nice are the ones near the end of the book of the little girl.

However, there are many nice books for preschoolers about butterflies. This particular book's special quality is in the way it invites the reader to imagine what it's like to be a butterfly. My preschoolers greatly enjoy "acting out" the book, starting as a caterpillar eating it's way out of an egg. The text is perfect for a simple preschooler "play". It gives them a creative way to move and physically explore what they've learned.

The ending to the book is very nice, too. Rather than just stopping once the caterpillar turns into a butterfly, or after explaining the common activities of butterflies, the book draws the reader back to reality. The reader doesn't look like a butterfly; the reader looks like, and is, a human child. The book briefly contrasts the differences between the butterfly and the human, listing good things about being a human.

The final pages list interesting facts about butterflies. Most are just a bit too complex for young preschoolers, but early grade school children should appreciate them. The admonition to not touch a butterfly's wings is well done and a nice way to end the book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A vibrant look at a miniature world
"A Ladybug's Life" is written and illustrated by John Himmelman. The text and pictures look at the life cycle of a ladybug, including hatching, metamorphosis, and eventual egg-laying. The book includes a glossary of terms ("aphid," "larva," etc.).

Himmelman has crafted some wonderful images: golden ladybug eggs clustered on a green leaf, a ladybug dwarfed by a fierce looking preying mantis, and more. The artist brings to vivid life a world of savage beauty--it's like looking at an exotic science fiction landscape. The book shows predation and evasion of predation, but is not gory and deals with these realities of insect life in a matter-of-fact way. This book is another triumph for the talented Himmelman, who has created in these pages a world that is rich in color, action, and drama. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Cute, but not too comprehensive
I ordered this for my sons fifth birthday and while I found it cute, it is just okay for identifying caterpillars as it is not very comprehensive. Our childrens librarian recommended: Peterson First Guides: Caterpillars by Amt Bartlett Wright and that has been much more helpful for identifying many more species of caterpillars, butterflies and moths. We live in Northern Indiana and many of the caterpillars we have found have not been in this book but in the Peterson's book. My son loves it, though.

Excellent learning tool.
I purchased 5 books of this series for my five year old daughter for Christmas, as she wanted a "field guide" like her older sisters when exploring our 45 acres of woods. After reviewing these books before giving them, we decided to use them as part of our science program for our home school. These books have bright and colorful pictures, short accurate explanations of the animal, their habitat, eating habits, and even some of the popular anecdotes that go along with the animal. (For example, the myth about the stripes on the wooly bear caterpillar in relation to the length of winter) It has the appropriate warning for studying certain animals. What we enjoy most is that many of these animals can be found in our back yard to furthur study. Each book deals with three types of animal, such as Caterpillars,Bugs, and Butterflies. They are separated into sections dealing with each type. At the end of the section is a wonderful hands-on project the child can basically do on their own within the recommended age group (9-12) or with some assistance for a younger age group like my daughter. My 5 year old begs us to read these books to her and loves the projects. I highly recommend this book and others in the series for those who want their children to learn about nature and how to respect it.

Great for educators!!
This book helps you find and identify caterpillars, bugs, butterflies, and moths. A great informational book!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

A hilarious introduction to the insect world, On Beyond Bugs will have your preschooler giggling away while learning all kinds of interesting entomology facts. Answering questions like "why do flies buzz?" and "how do bees communicate?" in the musical rhymes long associated with him, Cat in the Hat makes a delightful tour guide. Who else could manage "ants are so strong they can lift things that weigh over ten times their weight and they do it each day?" The sturdy, easy-to-clean-cover makes this book a good choice even for very young children. For those just beginning to read, the phonics-based repetitions are a big help. (Preschool to early reader) --Jill Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Fun!
I bought this book for my 4-year old son and he loves it! My husband and I love reading it to him and his baby sister who often also listens along. The book is educational yet great fun to read with its rhyming and fun verses. It teaches without being heavy-handed and even taught us, the parents, a thing or two we didn't know about the insect world! We all enjoy this book tremendously and love the other Cat in the Hat Learning series books as well.

Insects thank Cat in the Hat for good PR
I got this book for a 4 yr old daughter of a friend and she's now intrigued by the insect world. Personally I love how the bumble bee illustration has taught her about how bees communicate through the bumble bee "dance." On the whole, it's nicely educational on an introductory level -- general facts/concepts are taught through illustrations and rhyme. Great for the young ones. Another favorite of mine is the Dr. Seuss Great Big Flap Book. ... Read more

Amazon.com

"One day many years ago, as I was looking through a microscope at atropical moth, to my surprise I noticed a tiny, perfect letter Fhidden on the wing. I was astounded and wondered if I could find other letters. Perhaps I could even find the entire alphabet in the wings of butterflies and moths! I decided that I was going to be the first to try."

So wrote Kjell B. Sandved in his introduction to The Butterfly Alphabet. Little did he know that it would take him more than 25 years, with visits to more than 30 countries, to discover and photograph all the letters of the alphabet in butterfly wings. This glorious book is the fruit of his labors. On each spread, you'll find a picture of the whole butterfly or moth and its common name, with a full-page, full-color close-up on theadjacent pageof the letter on the creature's tiny wing scales. A gentle poem accompanies the flight from A to Z as well: "On wingsaloft acrossthe skies-- / An alphabet of butterflies. / Each butterfly in secret brings / A letter hidden in its wings." A few butterfly basics and a glossary of the species featured in the book close this fascinating, loving, photographic ode to the order Lepidoptera. (Ages 4 to 104) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Much more than an alphabet book; truly for butterfly lovers
I first thought this book was an alphabet book for young children, such as to help teach them the alphabet. This is more like a book that would be kept on a coffee table by an adult that adores butterflies. I still love it despite my misconception!

This is an amazing work. The author is actually a nature photographer who accidentially noticed that some patterns on butterfly's wings are shaped like letters of the English alphabet while looking at the wings under a microscope. He then took very close photographs of the "letters". He then went around the world hoping to find each of the 26 letters in our alphabet; this journey took 25 years. Now that is a labor of love!

The end result is this: on the left side of the page is a full color photo of the entire butterfly. One sentence describing butterflies with one of the words beginning with that letter of the alphabet is written in very poetic language that would be most appreciated by adults or anyone who enjoys poetry. Note that the featured letter is written in capital only and in script style so this is of no use to preschoolers who need to see both capital and lower case letters in PRINT. The name of the butterfly is then given. On the right side of the page is a huge photograph of the close up that shows the pattern on the wings that looks just like the featured letter of the alphabet.

Incredible! Interesting!

This would be of interest to anyone who is interested in butterflies. Possibly a good tool to show when introducing microscopes and what they can reveal and also when teaching about butterflies and science/nature.

Butterflies!
This is a beautiful work for anyone who loves butterflies. I often pick it up and browse its pages, admiring the beauty in nature. It can be read and reread numerous times. The photographs are wonderful, and the idea is ingenious! ... Read more

Book Description

For many children, "icky" bugs are endlessly fascinating. This book helps children discover why farmers like the praying mantis, how the water spider breathes underwater, and other intriguing facts about the world of bugs and insects.

Jerry Pallotta's lighthearted text and Ralph Masiello's vivid illustrations make this alphabetical exploration of small animal life both fun and informative. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

my son loves it!
I bought this book for my son for his 4th birthday (he helped pick it out) and it is one of his favorite books. He has had it less than 6 months and can tell you what every bug is and something about it. If you have a bug lover its a great book.

Great nonfiction book on insects and arachnids
This book was fantastic. It had a great deal of interesting information about 26 different bugs. The text was still simple enough for children of all ages to enjoy. My preschoolers loved it! ... Read more

Book Description

With its intriguing bug's-eye view of the world, this new series offers preschoolers a unique perspective on the life cycles and environments of some familiar backyard creatures. In each book, the initial question -- Are you a snail?...Are you a ladybug? -- is followed by a series of simple sentences that help children appreciate the differences between themselves and a particular small animal. Realistic, detailed art and informative, easy-to-read texts make these stories perfect for reading aloud."Slowly, slowly, slowly, your color grows stronger.Your black dots appear. Congratulations,you're a ladybug!" ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A reader-friendly book packed with fun and content
This book has it all--engaging, not too complicated text, GREAT illustrations and a lots of good science content. I have a huge collection of pre-school, early elem. books on insects, but none of them cover the type of metamorphosis that the lady beetle goes through, with the larvae looking totally different than the adult, and the pupae looking . . . well not like a butterfly cocoon, that's for sure, just a spotted lump! I was conducting a class for middle school teachers and we found a lady beetle pupa on a leaf and I thought in might be a gall. Luckily my book order for the early elementary class came in and I noticed the picture in the "Are You a Ladybug" book that explained what we had found. That's a pretty good endorsement for a pre-school book, that it can teach a middle school science class new information! Also, this book is very usefull to teach about how insect predators help control pest populations, since the beetles in the book eat aphids and more aphids. Again, this type of information is not often found in pre-school level books. I bought the grasshopper book too, and I like these books so much I am ordering the whole series!

And you thought your kids weren't interested in science!
This book disguises the science, not sugar-coating it, but presenting it in plain kid-speak, inviting them to enter the world of the ladybug in a humourous and engaging way.

Amazon seems to have rated this book at preschool level, but for its hard-core insect trivia, I'd recommend it for any bug-lovers five and up, and their parents who LOVE finding read-aloud books that the whole family can laugh and learn from.

Great introduction to metamorphosis
An excellent book that introduces children to the idea of metamorphosis while keeping their attention. Many people do not recognize the immature stage of the ladybug but this book treats it with humor -- when the eggs hatch, "you might think you have all made a big mistake" because of course immatures look nothing like adult ladybird beetles.

A great book for primary school science.

Have a taste for aphids?
If so, maybe you are a ladybug. The authors trace a ladybug's life from egg to maturity. Good information for primary grade insect reports. Large print and illustrations on lots of white space. The illustrator does much better with the ladybugs than the big-mouthed people featured at the end. ... Read more

Book Description

Nothing fascinates children more than bugs!Vibrant paper collages illustrate spotted ladybugs, butterflies that flutter, and many more.The book includes an actual size buy chart and a "bug-o-meter" which lists the basics about each featured species.(Selected as Outstanding by Parent Council) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

My daughte LOVES this book!
My daughter is 14 months old and she absolutely loves this book. She pages through it over and over again. We have a pile of about 20 books for her to "read" and this is always the first book she grabs. She points to the bugs and we say the name and then she'll turn the page and continue. She loves the bright color pages. I just wish it came in board book version, because she's wearing out the pages. She is just one, so she's a little rough on paper pages. ;) I love the page in the back that teaches you about the insects.

Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!
If you are a parent of a younger child looking for an educational book on bugs you should check out "Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!" by Bob Barner. When finding a book for very young children there are many things to look at, such as the use of bright colors to catch their attention, thick pages that won't tear easily, and large, easy-to-read typeface. "Bugs! Bugs! Bugs!" accomplishes all of these.
When it comes to the pictures, he has the bright colors and uses collages to add texture and realism to the illustrations. He uses pictures that are more like cartoons than reality so the kids will not be afraid of the featured insects. He puts these pictures on thick paper that will not tear easily so the kids don't destroy the book too quickly. At the end of the book there is a "Bug-O-Meter" that can help kids identify bugs and possibly help them learn to use tables and graphs. He also tells the reader little things about the different bugs to help kids learn the differences between the featured "bugs".
The way the author uses words is engrossing, with the words scrolling across the pages, leading the reader through the illustrations. The sparse wording may help children learn to spell. The wording is also contrasting to the colors of the illustrations and creates a dimension of words that can be taken apart from the illustrations. We reccommend it to parents of young toddlers.

A Best Loved Book
My daughter is 2 and 2 months and she loves this book because
of the great colors, simple but meaningful language, and because she can associate the words and pictures with real bugs she sees in our garden. Each time she wants to read it, she asks to have it read to her at least 4 times in a row. A great introduction to reading book.

Color, Fantasy, and Science
I think this is a great book for children from birth to age 6 or 7. The illustrations are wild and wacky collages, showing insects with anatomical accuracy but also cartoonish personality.

Eight insects are each described in rhyming phrases. At the end there is a page showing all the bugs in their actual size, and then there is a chart that lists the bugs and compares their characteristics (where does it live, how many legs, etc.) These pages add a "multi-media" aspect that keeps kids interested.

The thing I like most about this book is that although the text is sweet and melodic, it has scientific content. Each phrase describes a real aspect of the insect (A long line of ants that work so much, Roly-poly bugs that curl up when I touch). The book also introduces pictoral and graph comparisons and the idea of taxonomy in a fun way, preparing kids for further studies in science.

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs!!!
I purchased this book when my son was only 6 months old, since then, he is now a year old, I have had to "contact-paper" the pages, it's been read, and chewed on so often. This is a fabulous book for teaching children that bugs aren't all bad, and my son loves the bright, fun illustrations. Bob Barner has done a wonderful job of showing children where to find the different insects, whether they crawl or fly, and even what size they are in real-life. I know that as my son gets older and is able to "understand" what I'm reading him, he'll love to go investigating in the garden to find the various critters. Oh joy! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Silkworms are wonderful
This book is the best book on teaching both young children and adults about silkworms. The photographs are wonderful!I use this book the most in school. The kids tend to pick this book up the most when I have the display of silkworms in the room.

Wonderful photos and detailed description
I'm a Japanese and my hobby is making flowers from silk cocoon. Even though I deal many cocoons, it was my first time to see silkworms. Even in Japan, there is few opportunity to see real silkworms... This book tells me a lot about silkworms and silk farmers in Japan.

Excellent resource for teachers. Great photos!
Amazing photos of silkworms and moths. Text explains the entire cycle from egg to silk, and shows modern silk farming in Japan. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

Here's a worm's-eye view of a multitude of marching legs, scary-looking pincers, and fast-flying wings. Each colorful double-page spread provides a close-up look at the activities of a host of creepy characters in a wide variety of habitats, while informative captions detail everything from the feeding habits of leaf-cutter ants to the body features of beetles, scorpions, butterflies, and more. Kids will delight in the vivid, realistic illustrations and lively narratives that provide insight into the daily routines and adventures of an amazing variety of critters - from the trapdoor spider ambushing its prey from an underground burrow, to a step-by-step story depicting a year in the life of a honeybee. Offering both picture book appeal and educational value, this book will make an enthusiastically received gift. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

love the bugs
I am not too big on bugs, but my kindergarten class is. This book will answer many of their questions, especially about the roles of various bugs. The pictures are absolutly beautiful and full of details. This book is a great reference book to have for those children that are "buggy". ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Science Book
This is an excellent book for children to learn about life cycles. The text and illustrations make the wonderful miracle of life come alive for the readers. Beginning with the egg and ending with the beautiful Monarch the author clearly explains the changes that take place. Information is also included about the migration patterns of these interesting creatures. The last pages explain how children can raise monarch butterflies so that they can observe this miracle of life first hand. I would highly recommend this book to teachers who teach life cycles as part of their curriculum

From Katrina Holder (7 years old)
I like this book because you can learn things about butterflys that you did not know before. You can also tell other people about it to. The pictures are very nice and pretty. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You'll never look at beetles the same way again. When masterful paperengineer Robert Sabuda works his pop-up magic, you're sure to find beauty andwonder in the thorniest of creatures. About 350,000 kinds of beetles creepacross the surface of our world, but don't worry, Sabuda and cocreator MatthewReinhart only include a few here, including dung scarabs (move the pages to"roll" the dung!) and the giant horned Hercules beetle of Central and SouthAmerica. The colorful, metallic exoskeletons explode to life with everywell-designed page, causing even the most beetle-phobic to marvel at theirintricate anatomy. Funny, accessible sidebars ("Don't talk with your mandiblesfull") are sure to engage young naturalists in search of factoids about theeclectic, leggy group Coleoptera. To top it all off, each pop-up book comes witha paper frame with a plastic-encased, paper-engineered specimen ofPhalacrognathus muelleri, the Australian stag beetle. (Beetles were notharmed in the making of this book.) A wonderful gift for the young naturalist onyour list! (The YoungNaturalist's Pop-Up Handbook of Butterflies is also quite fetching.)(Ages 6 to 10) --Karin Snelson ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Beautiful Illustrations and good learning too!
This is an exceptionally beautifully illustrated book. It holds the interest of my 6 yr and 3 yr sons. The pop-ups work well and with different textures the children can learn with the sense of touch as well as sight. We love this book

good GIFT Idea..."Butterflies:fluttering flowers; moths:all
in the family; Life cycle: look at how you've grown; behaviour; defense: poisons, points and pretenders; diversity: all the colors of the rainbow"!

LESS APPROPRIATE words are sometimes better. I will therefore apply the K.I.S.S. ("keep it simple, stupid/silly) principle with regard to my review for this lovely book--
"Young Naturalist's pop-up Handbook: BUTTERFLIES" will make both your heart and soul "FLUTTER!!!"

My daughter
My daughter loves this book,not just because I love it. It came with a framed paper butterfly she absolutely loved. When I was reading it to her she was asking questions and was so into the book and she learned all about butterflies.

'Pop' Full of surprises
My soon to be four year old son (and Mommy) LOVES this pop up book. It is a wonderful work of art and informative! Two BIG thumbs up on this one!

Excellent, Beautiful, Fun
My five year old budding naturalist loved it. ... Read more